Abstract
This article aims to identify research hotspots and trends in research on SLC26A4 gene-related hearing loss through bibliometric and visual analyses, providing a reference and direction for future research. Publications on SLC26A4 gene research in hearing loss from 1994 to 2023 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database. Bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Bibliometrix 4.0.0 R package, CiteSpace 6.2.R6 software, and VOSviewer 1.6.20. The analysis encompassed journals, authors, keywords, institutions, countries, and references. Based on the analysis results, network maps were generated to evaluate collaborations among authors, countries, institutions, keyword co-occurrences, and co-citation references. This study identified 1,308 publications from 62 countries. Annual publication numbers have increased with fluctuations, showing rapid growth since 2011. The USA emerged as the leading contributor in this field based on scientific production, citations, and cooperation networks. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology had the highest number of publications, while Laryngoscope was the most cited journal. Harvard University was the most productive institution. Key researchers included Dai Pu, Griffith Andrew J., and Usami Shin-Ichi. There have been active collaborations between countries, authors, and institutions. The primary research topics focused on genotype-phenotype correlations, genetic screening, diagnostic advancements, and exploration of pathogenic mechanisms. Research on SLC26A4 gene-related hearing loss has notably increased since 2011, with ongoing clinical investigations and basic research efforts. Future studies may further explore disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic interventions related to the SLC26A4 gene.